Granny Finds Comfort in Downsizing to a Tiny Home in Her Daughter's Yard

381,780
0
Published 2023-08-01
Granny Ditches Costly Apartment for a Tiny Home in Her Daughter’s Yard.
Opal Reinbold, 75, was living alone in a one-bedroom apartment just 15 minutes from her family, but felt worlds away. While Opal led a busy and independent life, she wanted to be closer to her daughter, Maggie, and grandkids in Poway, California. Maggie’s answer was to build a 498-square-foot “grammy pad” in her backyard with the help of SnapADU, a company that specializes in the design and construction of accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. For Opal, her new not-so-tiny home has brought her even closer to her family and allowed her to find greater purpose by helping with her grandkids. This third chapter in her life may just be her best yet!

Interested in building your own tiny home? Check out aarp.org/adu for resources to help you jump-start your dream build.

If you want to be notified of stories like Granny Ditches Costly Apartment for a Tiny Home in Her Daughter's Yard, please SUBSCRIBE to our channel:    / @aarp  .

Watch more GOING TINY WITH AARP stories here:
   • Granny Finds Comfort in Downsizing to...  

00:00 Introduction
00:52 Opal on retirement, downsizing, and possibility of a Tiny Home or ADU
01:30 Maggie on convenience of ADU and having mother close by
01:59 Opal feels safe and secure close to family
02:37 ADU as sustainable retirement option
03:21 Planning of ADU
05:05 Budgeting and cost of ADU
05:59 ADU construction
06:26 Complete ADU and tour
08:11 Time to build ADU
08:24 Downsizing is hard but feels good
08:55 What life in an ADU is like

Please consider supporting more content like this by becoming an AARP member: www.aarp.org/becomeamember

- - - - - -

Connect with AARP Online:
Visit us: aarp.org/
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/AARP
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping people ages 50 and older to improve their quality of life as they age. With over 38 million members and growing, we lead positive social change through our extensive product offerings and services.

All Comments (21)
  • @astridlopez4195
    $325,000 is way too much money for such a small home. The majority of senior citizens can not afford a house like that. Is not realistic.
  • @maryreynolds5310
    I love the home, very beautiful, but absolutely NOT for that price!
  • This is hard for me to figure! The house is nice enough. NOT $300.000 worth of nice!
  • Dang for that price I could of built a four bedroom, two bath, independent laundry room, and a two car garage.
  • @lisalamorey3453
    Incredible Tiny Homes could have done it in HALF the amount!
  • @quitaulla1569
    I wish more Americans were like this family, welcome your mothers into your lives instead of throwing them in a nursing home.😢😞
  • @tinapoucher7406
    In Texas, we built my 1190 Sq ft - 2 bd-2ba - liv/ dining open concept…tons of light! share the shower & laundry thru sliding doors! My home is on an acre, near the lake, and approx a third of her cost. Detached - car plus storage. Also a separate storage blog. That’s why I would never live in California… but bottom line is…MAMA’s happy!
  • @evannalynch6501
    Opal's choice to downsize to a grammy pod in her daughter's yard is not just trendy but heartwarming. It's all about connection, and her story inspires us to find our own path.
  • @oliviacolman9537
    Opal's story is a reminder of the kind of family we all hope for. I'd love for my kids to embrace the idea of having an ADU for me when the time comes.
  • @carrieg.6676
    California prices are ridiculous! No way i would move there! For that much money you could have a big house with a pool and land with great views in Oklahoma.
  • I brought me happy tears to see the love this family shows their mom. The little house is gorgeous. Beautiful and yes roomy made. God Bless you all. Family is Beautiful
  • That is STILL A LOT OF MONEY for the average senior citizen to afford. Wow, she’s living in luxury compared to most people and she WILL BE THE BABYSITTER, THE MAID AND CHAUFFEUR!
  • @donnaflowers1404
    My downsized home cost less than $160,000. It is on our son’s property. My kitchen is huge with a very large island. My ceilings are 10 ft tall with 8 ft doors. All handicap accessible.
  • @snapadu
    Delighted to be a part of Maggie & Opal's ADU journey!
  • 325,000 is a ridiculous price for that little home! We built our house just under 1000 Sq ft for $30,000 in 2014 in Texas. Our house has 2 bedrooms but is also very open concept. It's beautiful but no way for the price!!
  • @d12tu68
    this is special and so nice to do for your mother its awesome to see great video great video ◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️◼️⭐️